Cohn High School – Only High School in West Baton Rouge Parish added to Significant Notes

Cohn High School has been added to the Significant Notes portion of the site.

Cohn High School in Port Allen, Louisiana was the only African American High School in West Baton Rouge Parish. It ran from 1949-1969. Prior to its opening, West Baton Rouge Parish’s African American children attended school for grades 1-8 at The Port Allen Colored School. After eighth grade, students had to stay with family or strangers in Iberville Parish or Baton Rouge City. The establishment of Cohn High School enabled the African American youth to attend college and contribute to the education and development of Port Allen. Cohn High School closed due to integration in 1969. Despite the efforts of the Alumni Association, the school was demolished in 2014 due to its condition.

The West Baton Rouge Museum commemorated the school with a special exhibit from February – March 2016. The exhibition received an Award of Merit on September 16, 2016.

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Since many of our African American High Schools no longer exist – they have been neglected, destroyed or repurposed, we depend on the donations of alumni for contributions to the website. If you would like to provide information about African American High Schools in Louisiana before 1970, press the “Call to Action” button to see how.